the national / comments

Finding music nowadays has become an art form in itself. Scrounging through the limitless heaps of music that is constantly being shelled out on a daily basis can make one want to give up on music.
For an extended period of time I was a person who was turned off by most music in general. The relentless recycling of music made music out to be a foe. Then came the National. Seeming to be the same ole same ole on the surface but completely unique in it's own respect.
Lead singer Matt Berninger is the center piece of this group. His voice resonates with a deep and ominous tone that also manages to cast off a faint hint of optimism and hope. The voice alone is one that apologizes for the years of  repetitiveness that has plagued the alternative genre.
With cameos from Padma Newsome, the band has formed into its own. With an early history rooted in southern country experimentation, the National has grown into one that closely mimics The Clogs but is individualistic in its own respects.
Don't be mislead by comments of their earlier music being slow and sappy. The National are refreshing on every album. Whether it be Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers or Alligator, they are inventive and that's more than most can claim.
If you are looking for a new but familiar sound, check out the National. Let them take you on a trip. It's one that you'll want to experience.

A friend of mine introduced me to The National in 2007, and I think it was my favorite new discovery of the year.  I listen to an ecclectic mix of stuff ranging from Nine Inch Nails to Tori Amos, and yet Boxer somehow always finds a way into my playlist on long drives.

I went back and listened to their older stuff and am glad I didn't first hear of them back in 2001-2004.  Their older stuff is just too sappy and too slow, without enough energy to keep me interested.  Although, I will give About Today off of the Cherry Tree EP a free pass.  It's the exception to the "old National" rule.

It also doesn't hurt to note that I saw them live in San Francisco last year and their show was chocked full of Alligator and Boxer tunes.  Very powerful performance.  Not overwhelmingly loud, but loud enough to move you and hear each song on those two albums over again for the first time.  I could listen to Fake Empire and Slow Show (and Mr. November!) on repeat for hours, but the other songs in between are too good to skip over.



•    
• Fake Empire



•    
• Slow Show



•    
• Mr. November

I don't think I need to explain much about their music itself.    Listen to the songs above.  If they don't grip you, The National probably isn't for you.  But for everyone else, you'll have a new best friend on your playlist.